ALVECHURCH manager Mick Preece is sweating on the fitness of injured midfielder Christian Townsend.

Townsend suffered the recurrence of a dislocated big toe in the 2-2 draw with Alveston last week and is doubtful for the trip to Massey Ferguson on Saturday (ko 2.45pm).

Church were scheduled to take on Banks's League big-spenders Warley in the Rameses Midland Invitation Cup last night (Tuesday) but the game looked unlikely to go ahead with Lye Meadow still waterlogged.

The match is set to be a tester for Preece's men with former Wolves and Northern Ireland star Robbie Dennison player-coach of the third-placed Banks's Premier side who put 11 past Brierley Hill earlier in the season.

Heavy rains put paid to Saturday's home clash against Northfield but Preece said his players would benefit from the rest.

It gives the players a chance to have a bit of a break which will be needed around Christmas, he said.

It means players aren't going to burn themselves out while they are playing Saturdays, Sundays and in midweek.

Defenders Matt Davis (holiday), Matt Pugh, and Nolan Talbot (back operation) are all available for Saturday and Richard Stocks is set to return.

Preece is hopeful of bringing in Redditch United striker James Burke on loan and is closing in on an unnamed Midland Combination forward to bolster his front line.